Backpack Healthcare:
Expanding Mental Health Services in Baltimore County
We’re excited to share some big news! Backpack Healthcare is expanding its school based program for the 2025-2026 school year. We have secured a $900K grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC). This funding will significantly boost our efforts to support the mental health and well-being of students, families, and caregivers in Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS).
What’s Coming Up
In-Person Therapy
We’re continuing our in-person 1:1 therapy sessions with licensed clinicians. These will be available at the following schools:
Complete this form if you are interested in signing your child up for in-person services at any of these schools or if you would like to make a referral.
Parent Workshops
We’ve lined up a series of virtual workshops for parents and caregivers, covering essential topics to help support your child’s mental health! Workshops are virtual 6-7pm and run every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month! Register for these sessions here!
Educator Workshops
We’ve lined up a series of virtual workshops for educators, covering essential topics to help support your students’ and your own mental health! Workshops are coordinated with your school on professional development days and lunch and learns.
Over the past 3 years, we’ve made significant progress in expanding our mental health services throughout Howard County. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished:
Group Therapy in Schools:
We’ve held group therapy sessions for the past 3 years at both middle and high schools including Mount Hebron, Mayfield Woods Middle, Long Reach, Hammond, and Oakland Mills. These sessions, which began in 2022, are designed to provide students with a supportive environment where they can connect, share, and grow together
Caregiver Wellness Workshops:
Launched in May 2024, workshops have focused on building resilience, developing coping strategies, and improving media literacy. Parents and caregivers have gained valuable tools to support both their own mental health and that of their children.
Individual Therapy and Medication Management:
We’re now offering individual therapy and medication management services, which are covered by Medicaid for eligible residents. These services are a vital part of our commitment to providing accessible mental health care to the community.
Why It Matters
Our $900k grant from CHRC is a game-changer. It’s allowing us to expand our reach and provide essential mental health services to more students and families in Baltimore County. But this is just the beginning. We’re committed to creating sustainable, long-term solutions that will continue to benefi t the community for years to come.
Get Involved
We’re always looking for more ways to connect with the community. Whether you’re interested
in attending an event, participating in a workshop, or just learning more about our services, we’d love to hear from you!
Visit hellobackpack.com for more details, or reach out to us directly at partners@hellobackpack.com.